There are many different types of food poisoning. Each variation may have similar symptoms, although the time that you feel the effects of it can vary wildly. This is largely due to the type of food that caused that poisoning, how much was consumed, and how severe your symptoms are.

Typically, food poisoning only goes on for one or two days, and you may not even need medical care during this time. Whether it was through ingestion of food bacteria, viruses, chemicals, parasites, or even metals, food poisoning can affect not just the stomach, but other organs in the body as well.

If you’ve been affected by food poisoning it can be worrying, and you may not be sure how to respond. Here’s what you need to know.

Identify the Food Poisoning

It can take anything from an hour to a few weeks for the symptoms of food poisoning to become noticeable. This large time frame can make it tricky to identify when you have been affected by a case of food poisoning. However, the most common types of food poisoning are usually identifiable between two and six hours after eating any form of contaminated food. The symptoms to look out for are:

• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Pain in the abdomen
• Nausea
• Intense headaches
• High temperatures

Other, less common symptoms can also include:

• Blood or mucus in your stool
• Dehydration
• Aching muscles
• Itchiness
• Blurred or double vision

Identifying that you have food poisoning is the key to knowing your next steps.

Treating Food Poisoning

Usually, the best thing that you can do if you have been hit by food poisoning is to keep yourself hydrated. If you are vomiting or you have diarrhoea, then you should try and drink water as soon as possible. Often, it can take a few hours before you feel comfortable doing so, and you should avoid food if you are feeling nauseous. Ice chips can be a useful way of rehydrating. If you feel that your food might stay down, then start with some plain options:

• Rice
• Plain toast
• Crackers
• Bananas
• Cereal

There are some foods and drinks that you should try and avoid. These include:

• Fizzy, carbonated drinks
• Caffeine
• Dairy
• Overly fatty foods
• Alcohol

However, your main priority should be rest. Your body is going to take time to recover, and the more rest that you get, the quicker your symptoms will fade.

Do You Need a Doctor?

There are some people that should always contact a medical professional as soon as they show signs of food poisoning. These demographics are:

• Anyone older than 60
• Babies and toddlers
• Pregnant women
• Anyone with a history of a weak immune system
• People with existing health issues such as diabetes

Even if you do not fall under any of the categories, you should contact your doctor if you identify any of these symptoms:

• If your symptoms last more than two days
• Blood in your vomit or stool
• Excessively high fever
• A tingling sensation in your arms, or general muscle weakness

Can You Make a Claim?

Some of the effects of severe food poisoning can affect people for the rest of their lives. If you or someone you know has been affected by food poisoning that was caused by the negligence of someone else, such as a restaurant, hotel, supermarket, or cafe, then compensation could be possible.

All cases of food poisoning have their variations, but there are some guidelines for the amount of food poisoning compensation that you might receive:

• Severe Cases – Between £27,450 and £37,500. This is for those people who have suffered from the excessive symptoms that come with severe food poisoning.
• Short-lived Cases – Even the most serious instances of food poisoning can often last just a few days. The amount that you may receive when making food poisoning claims will depend on the severity of those symptoms. Excessive symptoms or effects such as no longer enjoying food or sex will be taken into account, and the food poisoning compensation bracket for this category will be between £6,850 and £13,700.
• Discomfort Cases – Your solicitor will need to ascertain the severity of your symptoms. If you had a hospital admission due to severe stomach cramps or a loss of bowel function, then you can expect to receive between £2,800 and £6,850.
• Minor Cases – Although food poisoning can be serious, it is sometimes nothing more than an inconvenience. The duration of that inconvenience will be important for working out your food poisoning claims. Potential compensation in these cases will be between £650 and £2,800.

Making a claim for food poisoning that has been caused by negligence will always be dependant on the causes and the effects. If you have suffered from food poisoning and your life has been negatively impacted in any way, then it’s worth seeking legal advice. The food poisoning compensation that you receive could help ease you back into full health.